Human traffickers forced victims to work in Cornwall: OPP

The OPP said Monday some of the 43 Mexican-born workers freed by a human-trafficking investigation were forced to work in Cornwall.

At a news conference held Monday in Barrie, OPP revealed details on an investigation begun in 2018 into allegations the workers had been hired and trafficked/defrauded by a cleaning company based in Barrie, Ont. The investigation included members from the Barrie Police Service, Canada Border Services Agency, the Barrie and Area Victims’ Services and County of Simcoe Paramedic Services.

OPP alleged the victims paid large sums of money to traffickers, under the pretense of being brought to Canada and being able to obtain work or study visas and gain permanent residency. However, once in Canada, police alleged the victims were forced to live in squalid conditions in Barrie and Wasaga Beach, and forced to work cleaning locations in Collingwood, Innisfil, Oro-Medonte and Cornwall.

Twelve search warrants were executed by the OPP, Barrie police and the CBSA at locations in Barrie and Wasaga Beach on Feb. 5. The 43 victims, mostly men aged 20-46 years, have been re-housed and provided with legal employment.

No further information on the Cornwall link to the investigation was provided Monday. OPP said it expects to lay charges as part of the investigation.